Casting-machine.



F. N. GLINE. CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1908. 928,246.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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v 3 7663 J7. 052 726. fill/6 P. N. GLINE. CASTING MAOHINB. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1908.

Patented July 20, 1909. 4 SHEBTSSHEBT 2.

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\m w w w y P. N. OLINE. CASTING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1909.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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F. N. GLINE. OASTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1908.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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FRED N. GLINE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CASTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application filed September 2, 1908. Serial No. 461,431.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED N. CLINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful 1m provements in Casting-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to. the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. I

The" purpose of this invention is to provide an improved construction for casting machinesof the type or class, in which a cupola for supplying the molten metal is permanently associated with the machine which carries the molds, and in which the molds are carried in circuit to the position or positions for filling, thecasting being discharged and the mold being cooled in the intervals between such filling positions. It consists of the features'and elements of construction and their combinations shown bnd described as indicated in the claims.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 isa vertical axial section of a structure embodying this invention at plane cutting through two opposite stations at which the molds are filled. Fig. 2 is a section at the line 2-2 on Fig. 1.

a Fig. 3 is a section at the line 3-3 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section at the line 4.4 on Fig. 3, being a plan view of the operating mechanism.- Fig. 5 is a detail section at the line 55 showing inedge elevation a portion of the maingear and locking flange of the'mold carrier and the locking device. Fig. 6 is a detail section at the line 6-6 on Fig. 3. Fig. .7' is a. section through the cupola at the plane of the line 77 on Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a section axial with respect to one of the pourersthrough thesaine and'a mold shown in con unction therewith for pouring. Fig.

-9 is a detail plan view of the pourer-ball- I bearing table. Fig. 10 is a sectionat the line'10.-1O on Fig. 2 -Fig. 11 is asection- 1 preferably provided a base plate,- 1, formin partofthe. base or fundamentalsupport the machine which: comprises in addition. a *1:*ball-bearingtable,.2, and rigid -legs,.,3, by. -50.

For thelpurpose of l1,s,1nacliine,.there :whichthetable is supported on theg base 1 plate. -Up0n the ball-.bcaringv ,table of the a base :therecis lodgedv a carrier, which is in;

i :the'formof a large horizontal wheel comprising an. annular; hub,4=, andmold-carrys 'ingrim, 5-, and spokes, 6,. connectmgthe hub v and rim. The ball-bearing table, 2, has upon its upper surface the lower track, 3*, of the ball race whose upper track, P, is formed in the lower endof the hub, 4:, of the wheel, steel balls, 7, being interposed between the two members of the ball race for easing the rotation of the horizontal wheel upon the base. This mold carrier is rotated about its vertical axis, and for that purpose is provided with a gear rim, 8, below the spokes, 6.

For communicating rotary motion, there is provided a train which consists of a pinion, 9, on the upper end of a shaft, 10, which is journaled in a bearing, 11, bolted rigidly to'the table, 2, (see Fig. 3) said shaft, 10, having at its lower end a beveled gear, 12. This beveled gear meshes with the pinion, 13, on one end of a shaft comprising three members, 14, 14 and 14*, which are alined so as to operate as a single shaft, journaled respectively in standards, 15, 15 and 15", mounted on the base plate, 1. These three shaft members' are connected by two clutches, each comprising a moving element,

16, mounted for sliding on the middle ele ment, 14, of the shaft and adapted to engage a counterpart element, 17,. mounted facing it on. the adjacent shaft member. The shaft member, 14 has an additional journal bearing, 80, at any convenient point, preferably outside the path of the molds carried by the moldcar'rier so as to be adjacent to a pulley, 81, on said shaft through which power is communicated by a belt, 82, from any convenient point. The sole reason for extending the shaft member, 1 1*, 'so' as torequire train which the shaftdrives by disconnect ing either of the clutches, and requires that ,both shall be connected in order .todrive the 5 train. purpose of this is to enable two operatorswhos may "be stationed atg'different points. along the v rnold ,path which, pro- .vision;- may: .be made. for pouring. the Imetal for fillingthe finoldsjto operate independently, .but, :so that they shall m r; interfere with; each ,other' in respect, starting the carrierafter it has. halted for, filling, as will -I -f 'y arpeeflfw t e jfbllewin description. :f.

Th .m v bl iim b is'i l ;1 6 16 th clutches are operated by a fork arm, 18, of a rock shaft, 19, the two rock shafts being journaled upon the under side of the table, 2, extending parallel to each other, each having a second lever arm, 20, connected by a link, 25, with a pedal lever, 21, the two pedal levers extending in opposite directions from the shaft member, 14, and having their respective terminal pedals, 21, in positions to be reached by the feet of two operators standing at opposite sides of the machine. Each rock shaft is provided with a spring, 22, coiled about it and reacting on the lever arm, 20, for yieldingly resisting the rocking of the shaft in the direction caused by depressing the pedal, which is the direction for causing the fork lever arm, 18, to shift the movable clutch member into engagement with its counterpart member. \Nheuever either operator is ready to start the carrier (after having filled a mold or molds at any given halt of the carrier) he will depress the pedal lever under his control, thereby connecting one of the two clutches. This, however, will not cause the carrier to start, but when the other operator, being also ready, depresses his pedal and connects the other clutch, the movement will be communicated from the shaft member, 14;, to the member, 14 for driving the train and rotating the carrier. Both operators will release the pedal immediately after the carrier starts, and this would cause the clutches to be immediately disengaged but for the provisions which will now be described. The hub, 4, has a downwardly projecting rim or flange, 23, having notches, 23, one for each halt which the carrier is designed to make in its rotation. The lever arm, 20, has an upturned terminal lug or tooth, 20, adapted to 'engage these notches, and in the interval between them, to ride on the downwardly facing edge of the rim or flange, 23.

. When the pedal is depressed for engaging the clutch as abovedescribed, the tooth,

I 20, is disengaged from a notch of the rim,

23, and as soon as the carrier starts, the notch moving away from the tooth prevents reengagement, and when the operator releases the pedal, the spring, 22, tending to rock the shaft presses said tooth up against the edge of the rim which resists the rocking and causes the clutch to remain engaged until inthe rotation of the carrier the next notch reaches the tooth, whereupon the spring causes the tooth to engage the notch,

' simultaneously arrestin the carrier and .dis-

engagin the clutch; en the pedal is depressed or enga 'ng the clutch, it may happen that theteet of the two members may meet point to point, and to provide for this contingency and permit the'o erator to de-' press the v 'edal to its full imit without straming t e parts, the link, 25, which conmovement and intervening halts at positions determined'as to frequency in the rotation by the number of notches, 23 Upon this carrier there are mounted two-part molds, 30-31, which are designed to be filled in couples at each halting, and for filling which, there are provided, as hereinafter described, two pouring stations and pouring devices at op osite sides of the carrier. The number o molds is therefore twice the number of notches, 23?. The member, 30, of each mold is fixed rigidly at the outer circumference of the rim, 5, of the carrier, and the member, 31, is hinged to the member, 30, at a vertical hinge line, said hinge lines of the several molds being all at the same side, which is the forward or advanced side in the direction of rotation of the carrier, so that the molds will be closed by any obstruction encountered by the hinged member as the carrier rotates. The molds are designed to be closed just prior to the position at which they are to be filled, and for .that purpose the base plate, 1, has at opposite sldes the extensions, 1 l, reaching toward the mold path. At the end of each extension, 1*, there are located a pair of standards, 32, having at their proximate sides facing each other near the upper end bosses, 32*, provided 'with V- a being provided upon the outer protruding ends 0 the stems to limit the action of the springs which tend yieldingly to thrust the plate away from" the standards and to resist its movement back toward the standards. The cam plate, 34, is bent or deflected outward,that is, away from the center of the carrier at the end extending in the direction from which the molds advance in the rotation of the carrier. Upon the back of each hinged mold member, 31, there is mounted a vertical roller, 31, which is in position to en-' counter the inner face. of the deflected. end of the cam plate, 34:, as the mold advances carrier; and to effect this purpose at the toward the plate, and thereby ease the friction of the plate pressed upon the mold for closing it and holding it closed as the mold travels past the plate. The halting position of the carrier as determined by the location of the notches, 23, is referably with two molds in radial line with the plunger stem and springs respectively, so that the full tension of the springs is exerted for pressure gilhgld the molds closed while they are being For supplying and filling the molds, there is provided a cupola, 40, the detail structure of which will be hereinafter briefly described, although any specific detail struc-- ture is not essential to the present invention, which, so far as the cupola is concerned, has to do only with the location of the cupola and its relation to the mold-carrier and molds. In order to perform the designed service, it is desirable that the cupola should belocated above the area encompassed by the mold path,-that is, substantially or approximately over the center of the carrier,'- and in order to support the cupola stably in this position, the structure is designed in the form which will now be described.

Upon the upper side of the hub, 4, there is lodged an annular cupola-supporting element, 42, ball bearings, 41, being interposed between said annulus, 42, and'the hub, corresponding tracks making a ball-race being formed in the upper end of the hub and lower side of the annulus. ,Legs or standards, 43, are extended rigidly from the upper side of the annulus, 42, and connected rigidly to the bottom of the cupola. As illustrated, these logs consist of pipe, and their connection with the annulus, 42,'"atthe lower end is made by means of pipe flanges, 44. The outer metallic shell or casing, 40, of the cupola is provided with threaded bosses, 40 into which the upper ends of the legs, 43, are screwed. By this means, the cupola is in a manner supported directly upon the carrier and indirectly upon the base which supports the carrier. But since the carrier is to be rotated while the cupola as well as the base remains stationary, means must be pro vided for preventing the rotation of the cupola with the carrier and preferably this is accomplished by staying the cupola upon the base. For this purpose itis necessary that the carrier should have an open center that the supports or staying means may be extended from the base to the cupola-supporting annulus, 42, and for this purpose there are provided pipe lugs, 45, 45, secured to the base by pipe flanges, 46, and at their upper endsscrewed' into the annulus, 42. It is desirable also in art to take the weight of the cupola oil the all bearings and off the same time with the purpose of staying the cupola against rotation, the plpe legs, 45,

are preferably oppositely threaded at their opposite ends so that they may serve as a means of adjusting the cupola-supporting annulus, 42, with respect to the base to ease the pressure upon the ball bearings and transfer the load of the cupola to any desired extent directly to the base. The adjustment will be made in such manner as to leave the carrier hub exposed only to so much of the load as will be sufficient to effectively steady it. The cupola may be further steadied, and if desired, the weight may be carried in part by connection with the annular platform, 48, which it is necessary to provide extending around the cupola to facilitate charging the latter with metal and otherwise caring for its operation. It will be understood that this platform will be permanently supported from the ground or from the walls of the building in which the structure may be located, representation of such support being deemed unnecessary. 49, 49, represent braces extending from the platform to the upper part of the cupola for staying it and transmitting any desired portion of the load to the thence to the ground or walls- I I,

The cupola illustrated is provided with platform and one or more slag-separating receptacles, 50, 50. Preferably, the number of these will.

correspond to the number of pouring stations or points in the circumference of the carrier at which operators may stand for filling the molds. The molten metal flowing from the cupola into the slag-separating receptacles is there afforded an opportunity for becoming cleared of the slag which arises.

to the top and may be raked out throughslag holes, 51, 51. From these slag-separating receptacles molten metal is designed to be drawn through a spout, 52, at the bottom of such receptacle into a crucible from which it is poured into the molds. There are provided as many of these crucibles or pourers distributed at equal intervals about the circumference of the carrier as will allow sufficient interval between them for the molds to be discharged and cooled. As illustrated, two such pourers-53 are provided at diametrically opposite positions. For supporting them above the carrier, there are provided pourer. stands or tablets, 54, 54,

which have short stems or standards, 54,

projecting from their lower side, provided with grooved pulleys, 56, and the carrier spokes, 6, two such arms being provided for eachpourer stand or tablet engaged rigidly in which the flames of theburners are dis.

therewith. Since it is designed to fill two molds at once at each halt and at each pouring station, each of the pourers is provided with twodischarge spouts, 58, 58, positioned for overhanging respectively two adjacent molds when the carrier is halted in position for filling, as seen in Fig. 2. In order to provide for adjusting the pourers so that the spouts may register as accurately as possible with the molds in case of any slight inaccuracy in the position at which the carrier halts which may occur from a variety of causes, each pourer is preferably mounted for rotation upon its standor table and is not rigidly connected therewith but is centered thereon by baILbearings, 59, in connterpart grooves in the table and bottom of the pourer forming a circular ball-race (see Figs. land 9). The weight of the pourer is suflicient to dispense with any other means of securing it to the table when it is centered thereon by means of the ball bearings described. The heat for melting the metal in the eupola 1s designed to be provided by means of oil burners represented conventionallyat 60,

'60, and by similar burners similarly indicated, the slag-separating receptacles are heated and maintained at temperature to prevent the metal from cooling therein. For the purpose of melting the metal in the cupola, the flame over the burners is dischargeddirectly into the metal chamber andis designed to' impinge against the metal fragments therein; but for maintaining the molten metal in molten condition, the slag receptacles arefl constructed in crucible form,that is, having an interior crucible llning, 50*, between which and the outer wall of the receptacle there is a flame cavity, 50

' charged for maintaining, the crucible lining Lt-proper temperature. The poi 11ers are of similar construction, comprising an interior crucible, 53, with the flame space, 53", outside of it. The pourers are filled through an aperture, 53, in the top, which, is in po' sition to be overhung by the spout, 52, of the slag-separating receptacle when thepourer is rotated on its ball bearings some distance from the position for filling the molds. As

illustrated, the filling aperture, 53, (see Fig.

11) is about ninety degrees aroundfrontthe spout, 52, when the-spout, 58, of the pourer is in position for' filling the molds. The purpose of this arrangement "arises from the fact that the gases from the heating flame of the burners must escape through this filling aperture and. should not be allowedto escape continuously against the spout, 52, partly because they will be thereby deflected in all directions to the inconvenience of the-operators, and partly because the spoutx will thereby become unduly heated. and the outer metal wall thereofwould be melted; to conduct the gases away harmlessly,that is, so as to cause the operator no inconvenience, there is suspended above each pourer a draft pipe, 61, having its lower funnel-shaped end in position to overhang the filling aperture, 53 when the pourer is in moldjfilling position,that is, swung around ninety degrees from the spout, 52, of the receptacle, 50.

Certain details of construction for operating these molds are of'practical importance,

'- particularly the device for closing the discharge spouts of the pourer in the intervals of the pouring. It is well understood that metal plugs cannot be used for such purpose, and plugs of graphite and other material not liable to combustion and to which the metal will not stick are commonly employed for similar purposes but are liable'to rapid deterioration causing leakage of metal around them and also to rapidly wearing away and enlarging" thedischarge aperture of the crucible. I have found that a wooden plug thrust into the discharge aperture will plugs are easily replaced, and even soft.

wood answers the purpose. I provide, therefore, for closing the discharge apertures of the pourers wooden plugs, 63, 63, carried in holders, 64, from which they may be readily disengaged for replacing with new ones when they become burned or worn to a point of unserviceabilityfl The, holder, 64, is a slide bar mounted for sliding in a bracket,

65, which is rigid with the. pourers outer V casing. A hand lever, 66, fulcrumed on the bracket, 65, 'hasa finger or arm, 67, engaging in a notch, 64:, of the slide bar, 64:, for

operating it to thrust the plug in and withdraw. it as the handle of the lever, 66, is swung in or out. The wooden plugs, (33, are turned conical, as seen clearly in Fig. 8, and the slide 64:, has its downwardly offset terminal provided with a conical bore whose axis is parallehwith the slide bearing of the bar and through. which the plug may be driven in from the outer or back side until'it is tight, a latch, 68, being provided to swing in behind-it and secure it. The latch being knocked aside, the plug may be driven out by a blowfrom the forward endwhen it is to be replaced by a' new-one. To rend-er the sliding movement of the slide bar, 64, easy,

and especially to-prevent it becoming tight by heating of the parts, 'ball bearings, 69, are provided for it .in the brackets, 65, as seen in Fig. 8. A spring, 70, reacting betweenthe bracket and the tools handle tends to, thrust the plug "in whenever the operator releases the .handle, but the operator may i apply additional pressure to force the plug in more tlghtly when necessary. a

\ at different stations along said path; means supply connection with the cupola an for rotating the carrier; disengageable connections in such rotating means corresponding in number to such stations; automatic means for disengaging such connections, and separate means for engaging the same respectively at will positioned for operation at the pouring stations respectively.

2. In combination with a mold carrier comprising a wheel having a centrally apertured hub; a mold carrying rim and rigid connections between said hub and rim; a base upon which said hub is mounted for rotation of the carrier; an element superposed upon the carrier hub; and connections therefrom extending through the hub tying said superposed element to the base; a cupola positioned above the area encompassed by the mold path and supported upon said superposed element, and means for conducting the metal from the cupola for discharge above the mold path.

3. In combination with a mold carrier mounted for horizontal rotation and molds thereon in a circular series about the axis of rotation; a cupola positioned abovethe area encompassed by the mold path; a base upon which such carrier is mounted for rotation;

supports for the cupola extending to such base within the bearing of the carrier on the base; a pourer supported on the carrier and means connecting it with the base for staying it against rotation with the carrier.

4. In combination with a mold carrier comprising a wheel having a centrally apertured hub, a mold carrying rim and rigid connections between'said hub and rim; a

base upon which such hub is mounted for rotation of the carrier; an element mounted .upon the carrier-hub and connections therefrom extending through the hub tying said element to the base. v

5. In combination with a mold carrier mounted for horizontal rotation, a base upon which such carrier is thus mounted; a support for the cupola extending to such base within the bearing of thecarrier on the base; a pourer supported on the carrier havin a a discharge terminal positioned for dischar e above the mold path, and an arm for hol ing the pourer extending from the cupolasupport above the carrier.

e above the mold path .tying said annular element to thebase, said connections being disengageable and accessible for such disengagement through the central opening in said annular element.

7. In combination with a cupola, a central support 'for the same; a mold carrier on such central support for horizontal rotation thereabout; molds on the carrier in a circular series about the axis of rotation; means for conducting the cupola contents for discharge above the mold path, the carrier having ball bearings below and overhanging it on the v cupola support.

8. In combination with a base and a cupola supported above it, a mold carrier interposed between the base and the cupola the cupola support resting on the carrier means for rotating the carrier on the base;

means for staying the cupola against rota,

tion; a pourer positioned for discharge above the path of the carrier having supply connection with the cupola, the. carrier having a circular track inside the mold path, the pourer having. a support onsuch track, and means connecting it with the cupola support for staying it against rotation with sald track.

9. In a casting machine, in combination with a rotating mold carrier; a train by which such carrier is rotated; a disengageable clutch in such train, the carrier having a notched rim; a rock shaft having a lever arm bearing on such rim adaptedto engage the notches for arrestingthe carrier, such 1 shaft having another lever arm operatively.

connected with the movable member of the support, the carrier resting on the base and V clutch; a spring operating on the rock shaft for rocking it in the direction to disengage the clutch and arrest the carrier, and means for operating the rock shaft at will in opposition to the sprin for releasing thecarrier and engaging. the dlutch.

10. In a casting machine, in combmatlon with a rotating mold carrier; a cupola having a slag-separating receptacle into which the metal flows when melted, provided with a bottom discharge spout; a pourer positioned for receiving metal at the top from the spout of the slag-separating receptacle, said pourer having a spout for discharging above the mold path, and means for heating the sla receptacle and the pourer.

11. III a,casting machine, in combination with a horizontally rotating mold carrier, a cupola positioned above the area encomrotation of the molds, the pourer being lodged for support upon the carrier, and an arm extending from the cupola support to the pourer to stay the latter against rotation with the carrier.

, 312. In a casting machine, in combination with a base, a cupola supported thereon; a

pourer apertured for filling and positioned for receiving the cupola contents through such aperture and provided with a discharge spout; means for heating the pourer; a mold carrier and means for actuating it with step-by-step movement to bring the molds successively into position to receive the discharge from the pourer spout, and a draft pipe provided at its lower end with a receiv-- ing funnel overhanging the pourer filling aperture, at the mold filling osition of the pourer to conduct the fumes o the metal and heating flame away from the vicinity of the halting position of the molds.

i 13. In a casting machine, in combination with a cupola provided with a spout for discharging the molten metal, a pourer having areceiving mouth at the top and a discharge mouth at the lower part and mounted for oscillation abouta vertical axis from a position at which the receiving mouth is over,-

hung by the cupola discharge spout to a position' at which said mouth is not so overhung; a draft pipe having a receiving funnelat its lower'end mounted in position tov overhang the receiving mouth of the pourer at the last-mentioned :position of the latter;

a mold carrier and means for actuating it to carry the molds with step-by-step movement successively into position for receiving the discharge from the pourer spouts at said last mentioned position of the pourer.

14. In combination with a .mold carrier comprising a wheel having a centrally apertured hub, a' mold carrying rim and rigid connections between said hub and rim; a base on which such hub is mounted for rotation of the carrier; an annular element mounted upon the carrier hub and connections from such annular element extending through the central aperture of the hub tying said annular element to the base, said connections being. disengageable and accessible for such disengagement through the central opening in said annular element; a

cupola positioned above the area encompassed by the mold path and supported upon said annular element, and means for conducting the metal from the cupola for discharge above the mold path.

15. In combination with a mold carrier tion thereabout, the support having a cirmounted for horizontal rotation and molds thereon in a circular series about the axis of-rotation, a cupola positioned above the area encompassed by the mold path; a plurality of pourers each having a supply connection with the cupola, and terminals positioned respectively for discharge above the mold path at different stations along said path; a power-transmitting train; clutches in such train equal in number to such sta- 7-5 tions, and operating means for said clutches respectively positioned for operation at the pouring stations respectively.

16. In combination with a mold carrier comprising a wheel having a centrally apertured hub, a mold-carrying rim and rigid connections between said hub and rim; a base upon which such hub is mounted; a gear rim on said hub; a sectional shaft, one of the extreme sections having powerreceiving means, the other extreme section having a power-transmitting wheel; clutches successively connecting said sections, and power-transmitting connections from said wheel to said gear rim.

17. An annular mold carrier mounted for horizontal rotation; a base upon which such carrier is thus mounted; a cupola support extending up from the base within the annu- 4 lar carrier; a cupola on such support; a pourer lodged on the annular mold carrier, and an arm extending off from the portion of the cupola support within the annular carrier positioned above the latter and engaging the pourer for staying it against rotation with the carrier.

18. In-combination with a cupola, a central support for the same; a. mold carrier mounted on such central support for rotacular track at which such carrier is thus mounted for rotation, and ball bearings interposed on such track between the same and the carrier.

19. In combination with a cupola, a central support for the same, a mold carrier mounted on such central supportfor rotation thereabout, the support having two horizontal circular tracks facing each other,- the carrier being engaged between such tracks and stopped vertically thereby.

20. In combination with a cupola, a central support for the same, a mold carrier mounted on such central support for rotation thereabout, the support comprising a base having a circular track on which the carrier is thus mounted, and a rigid member connected with the base by means extending up within the circular track and annular carrier, overhanging the latter and verti- 125 cally stopping the same.

21. In combination with a cupola, a central support for the same, an annular mold carrier mounted on such support for rotation below the level of the cupola; molds 139 in a circular series carried by the carrier; at

' pourer-lodged uporithe carrier and positioned for discharging into the molds on the latter, andan arm extending oil from the central support above the annular carrier andengaging the pourer against rotation 7 With the carrier.

,In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 19th day of August, 1908. V

FRED N. CLINE.' Witnessesi CHAS. S. BURTON,

M. GERTRUDE ADY. 

